Chapter Ten Automobiles Contents Introduction Buying a New Car Buying or Selling a Used Car Lemon Laws & Other Consumer Laws Warranties Recalls Automobile Leasing and Renting Inspections Repair &Service Contracts Your Auto and the Police Insurance Where to Get More Information Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com INTRODUCTION SO, YOU PLAN TO BUY A CAR. The thought might excite you, or maybe it makes you anxious. But no matter how you feel about it, the bottom line is that you are about to make a major purchase to part with a substantial amount of hard-earned dollars for an item that is going to be around for a while. BUYING A NEW CAR As with any other big-ticket item, it is important to do your homework - decide in advance what kind of car you need, and how much you can afford to spend. Think about size - a big family car or a jazzy sports car? Think about options - do you care if you have power everything, or do you mind cranking open your windows yourself? Do you prefer cloth, vinyl, or leather seats? What features are important to you? After you have analyzed your needs and your finances, you are ready to being looking. Before you start pounding the pavement, check out some of the consumer- oriented publications that have information on cost, reliability, comfort factors, and other features of many cars. The Internet, your local library and bookstores should have many of these references. Also, see the "Where to Get More Information" section at the end of this chapter. Advertising\Sales Practices Q. What information should an automobile ad include? A. This is an area largely regulated by statute, and it varies from state to state. In some places, the ad must state the number available of that type of vehicle. Other items that may be required include price, dealer and factory-installed options and warranty terms. In addition, if the vehicle is "on sale," the ad should state the date the sale ends. Sidebar: “Bait and Switch” Ads "Bait and switch" is advertising a vehicle that the dealer does not intend to sell. Usually this is done to lure the unsuspecting customer toward buying an unadvertised, often higher-priced vehicle. The ad draws the customer into the showroom, but the advertised car is not available at that time or stated price. If you suspect that you have been the victim of such advertising, contact the consumer protection division of your state attorney general's office. If they have received a number of reports about this kind of advertising, they may file a claim against the dealer on behalf of all of the duped customers. If they find that yours is an isolated incident, they may still help you pursue an individual claim. In either case, it may be possible to hold the dealer to providing the vehicle at the publicized price. Q. What if the ad omits details? Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com A. If the dealer knows of important facts about the vehicle, but fails to reveal them, the law may consider that as a deceptive act that could enable you to cancel the deal and even recover damages in court. Clearing up the missing facts later does not erase the dealer's deceitful act. (For more information, see the "Lemon Laws and Other Consumer Protection Statutes" section that appears later in this chapter.) The New Car Contract Q. Must a car contract be in writing? A. Yes, according to the Statute of Frauds of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The UCC, which is in effect in some form or another in every state but Louisiana, regulates sales of goods and securities and governs many kinds of commercial transactions. Since it has been adopted, with minor variations, by every state legislature except Louisiana's, it governs most auto transactions in the country, and it will be referred to often in this chapter. The UCC says any sale of goods of five hundred dollars or more must be in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. If the contract is challenged, the courts will not be permitted to enforce it unless it is in writing. Sidebar: Terms That the Contract Should Include The sales contract should describe the car and include the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find it on the driver's side of the dashboard near the windshield. The contract also should state whether the car is new, used, or has had a previous life as a demonstrator, rental car or taxicab. In addition, the contract should include price terms consistent with your oral agreement, and details on any trade-in you will supply, including mileage and the dollar amount credited. Insist on a cancellation provision that enables you to get your deposit back. The contract should state the warranty terms very clearly. (See the "Warranties" section of this chapter.) The contract's financing terms should state price, deposit, trade-in allowance, annual percentage rate of interest (APR), and length of term. Q. Who signs the contract? A. Besides you, either an authorized salesperson or a supervisor or manager signs it. Before you sign, make sure you understand and accept all the contract terms, because you'll probably have to abide by a contract you have signed, even if you have not read it. Read the contract carefully. Ask questions. Cross out blank spaces to avoid any additions after you sign. Make sure that the dealer's promises appear in the contract. Do not sign until the contract satisfies you. The contract you sign binds you, and escape from the contract is both difficult and expensive. Q. May I change a seller's preprinted contract? A. Yes, if the seller agrees. If you do change terms, cross out the unwanted language, and write or type in the substitute terms. Both you and an authorized dealer representative should initial the changes. Handwritten or typed changes to both copies of a printed contract overrule printed terms. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com Q. May I cancel the contract even after I sign it? A. It depends. If you were a minor when you signed it (under 18 in most places), and you contracted with an adult, you can dodge the agreement at any time for any reason while you are still underage, or within a reasonable time after reaching the age of majority, as long as the car is not considered a "necessary" akin to food or clothing. For example, if you are a minor but you are out on your own, and you must have the car in order to get to the work that supports you, the car will be considered a necessary, and your youth will not be an acceptable excuse for you to cancel the contract. The law protects inexperienced young people from being bound by bad deals with tricky adults. Most car dealers know this rule, however, so they will avoid contracting with a minor. These dealers will insist that the car be bought by, or in the name of, a financially responsible adult. Q. How else may I get out of the contract? A. If, for example, the car you buy is not what the dealer promised, the dealer may have breached its warranty. (See the "Warranties" section in this chapter) If so, then you might attempt to cancel the contract because of the breach. Or you might try canceling for no reason. However, you risk losing your deposit. The dealer also might file a lawsuit to recover lost profits, for time spent with you and on your car, and other damages. Sidebar: What Happens To Your Deposit If You Cancel the Contract? If you cancel the sales contract, what happens to your deposit depends on the stage of the transaction and on the contract terms you signed. The earlier in the deal, the more likely the dealer will refund your deposit and the less likely you will be sued. Some states entitle you to a refund if, for example, you decide to cancel before the dealer representative signs the contract. Some states also allow you to get a refund if you cannot get financing, despite your best efforts, provided the contract is subject to getting financing. Q. If we wind up in court in a contract dispute, may I offer information in addition to the contract? A. The court, under the "parol evidence rule," may ignore any additional routine terms that don't appear in your original document. Consistent additional terms that explain or supplement, but don't change the contract's meaning, may be considered by the court. Generally, though, the court confines itself to the "four corners" of the document that you present. The court assumes that both parties read and understood the contract before signing it, and disallows prior inconsistent terms that vary or contradict the contract. You may be able to present evidence of an oral agreement made after the written agreement. Also, you may admit outside facts to prove that there actually was no contract or to prove that fraud induced you to sign. Q. What if I want to add something after I sign the contract? A. Ask the dealer to write a contract addendum (a supplement), or write it yourself. Both parties should sign it. Make sure that whoever signs for the seller has the legal power to do so. Mention the original contract in the addendum, state that everyone should consider it Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com an inseparable part of the original contract and that the addendum overrides any inconsistent terms in the two documents. This will help you avoid the parol evidence rule discussed above. Bank Loan Versus Dealer Financing Q. What if I do not have enough cash to buy my new car, even after my trade-in? A. Then you need financing. Banks, credit unions, loan companies, and car dealers are all potential funding sources. Interest rates will vary among these options. Shop around for the best deal by comparing the various loan terms and annual percentage rates (APRs). The APR is the actual interest you will have to pay on the unpaid balance of the loan, and may depend partially on your credit history. For further information on comparing terms and APRs, see the "Consumer Credit" chapter. Q. What must the creditor tell me? A. The creditor (the person or institution to whom you will owe money) must inform consumers of 1. the annual percentage rate (this must be conspicuous, for example printed in red or in much larger type than the rest of the document); 2. how the creditor sets the finance charge; 3. the balance on which the creditor computes the finance charge; 4. the dollar amount of the finance charge (this also must be conspicuous;) 5. the amount to be financed (the loan); 6. the total dollar amount that will be paid (loan plus finance charge); and 7. the number, amount, and due dates of payments. Sidebar: Making Sure a Creditor Treats You Right The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) protects consumers. Congress passed it in 1969 to ensure that consumers get enough facts to enable them to make an informed decision about financing. It applies to consumers who seek credit for money, property, or services for personal, family, or household purposes. (TILA does not cover business, commercial and agricultural credit. It applies to financing for personal, family or household uses.) Creditors, either people or organizations, who regularly extend consumer credit that is payable in more than four installments are subject to the Act, as are creditors who require (or may require) a finance charge. Q. What if the creditor does not follow the rules? A. Creditors who disobey the rules may have to pay you any actual damages that you have sustained. For example, if you paid more than you should have, you may be able to recover the excess. They also may have to pay your court costs and lawyers' fees, as well as a fine to the state. In a class action lawsuit with many complainants, the penalty paid to the government could be much larger. Q. What is the maximum APR that I have to pay? Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com A. That depends on the laws of the state in which you live or where the deal occurs. States that regulate "usury" allow different maximum APRs, depending on their laws. Remember, an APR is negotiable, though a creditor may not exceed a statutory upper limit. Title Q. When do I get title to my car? A. In most states, in any sale of a car, new or used, title passes when the previous owner endorses the certificate of title or ownership over to the new owner. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for the law in your state. Many state DMVs have information available on line. Q. Suppose I sign the contract, but do not yet have title. What if something happens to the car? A. The answer depends on who has the risk of loss. Usually, the party who possesses the vehicle bears the risk and is more likely to have insurance against the loss. Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which is discussed in detail later in the chapter, if the seller is a merchant (for example, a car dealer), the risk of loss passes to buyers when they receive the car. If the seller is not a merchant, as in a private sale of a used car, the risk passes to the buyer on "tender of delivery. Q. What is "tender of delivery"? A. Tender of delivery occurs when the seller actually tries to deliver the car, or makes the vehicle available for a pick-up arranged by a contract. Q. What if I have title but the dealer still has the car? A. A merchant seller who keeps physical possession may bear the risk of loss long after the title has passed and after the dealer has received payment. Q. May the risk of loss move from the seller to me? A. Yes, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) provision governing risk of loss allows this. A sales contract that specifies when the risk of loss passes will override the standard UCC provision. Q. How may I lose title? A. You may lose title if you fail to make your payments as they become due. The creditor is then permitted to repossess your car. Sidebar: The Right To Repossession When you buy a car on credit, you may have to give the creditor rights in your property (the car) that are superior to the rights of your other creditors. When you are loaned the money, you sign a "security agreement," which gives the creditor a "security interest" in Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com your car (the collateral). You are agreeing to give the creditor a lien on the car. If you don't pay, the creditor may try to get the car back and apply its value toward your debt. Q. So if I don't pay, can the secured creditor just come and take my car away? A. Afraid so. The only limitation on automobile repossessions is that the repossessor does it without breaching the peace. In many states, the creditor does not even have to sue the debtor, or notify the debtor of the default before reclaiming the vehicle. Q. What is a breach of the peace? A. A breach of the peace generally is any act likely to produce disorder or violence, such as an unauthorized entry into your home. If you protest strongly enough when a repossessor appears, it may create a breach of the peace, and any repossession may be invalid. Q. What happens after the repossession? A. Eventually, the creditor has the right to resell. However, before that happens, the debtor has the right to buy back the car (in legal terms, redeem the collateral). Q. How does redemption work? A. The debtor must pay the entire balance due, plus any repossession costs and other reasonable charges. Watch out for consumer credit contracts containing acceleration clauses. These force the debtor to pay the entire outstanding debt, not just the amount of overdue payments. Because a default and repossession have already occurred, it is unlikely that the debtor will have enough money to pay the entire balance. Redemption rarely takes place. Q. What if I do not redeem the car? A. The UCC gives the creditor two choices. First, it may sell the car to satisfy the debt. If the profits from the sale are not enough to pay expenses and satisfy the debt, you would be liable for the difference. The only limitation placed on the creditor by the UCC is that the sale be "commercially reasonable." As the UCC is applied in some states, that means first getting court permission to hold a sale. The sale may be public or private. However, the creditor must give you reasonable notice of the time, place, and manner of the sale. If it is a public sale, you have the right to take part (bid on the car). If the sale produces too much money, the creditor must pass that along to you. For example, if the amount of debt and expenses totals $5,000, and the creditor gets $5,600 from the sale of the car, the overage of $600 is due to you and the UCC obliges the creditor to refund the money to you. Q. What is the second choice? A. The creditor may keep the car to satisfy the debt fully. The law refers to this as "strict foreclosure." There is no duty to return excess money in a strict foreclosure. Creditors seldom use it, because dealers want to sell, not keep, cars. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com Sidebar: Used Vehicles Buying and selling a used car has some unique features, but it is similar to buying a new car. The advertising rules are largely the same, so you must still beware of "bait and switch" ads that look too good to be true. Basically, the law about forming and executing the contract for purchase or sale is the same for new and used cars, and the car's title transfers via the same mechanism. Lenders may examine the purchase a little more closely to ensure they receive adequate collateral for their money, but the procedure for getting the money does not change. As with a new car, if you fail to pay, you lose it to the "repo" man. BUYING OR SELLING A USED CAR Q. What is a used vehicle? A. It is a vehicle that was driven farther than the distance necessary to deliver a new car to the dealer or to test drive it. Dealer Versus Private Sale Q. Should I buy from a dealer or a private seller? A. Go with whoever gives you the best deal and with whom you are most comfortable. Some experts believe you may be better off buying from a private seller. They think a private seller may give a more accurate description of the car's faults based on personal knowledge, and you may get a lower price from a private seller. Private sellers, however, seldom give warranties, which dealers sometimes offer. (See the "Warranties" section in this chapter.) Also, some states have regulations governing used car sales that may apply only to dealers. Q. Do I need a written contract if I buy from a private seller? A. If you are paying more than $500, you should have a written contract. Courts usually cannot enforce an oral contract to sell a car for over $500 under the Statute of Frauds. Even under $500, it is always best to put the contract in writing if you are not going to conclude the deal immediately with a Bill of Sale (see next question). Q. Do I need to get anything else in writing? A. You should have a Bill of Sale. Many states require you to present a Bill of Sale to register your car. A Bill of Sale also may serve as a receipt. The Bill of Sale should contain the: • date of the sale; • year, make, and model of the car; • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); • odometer reading; • amount paid for the car, and in what form (cash, check, and the like); and Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com • buyer's and seller's names, addresses, and phone numbers. The seller should sign and date the Bill of Sale, and both you and the seller should get a copy. Sidebar: Special Rules for Used Car Dealers The Federal Trade Commission has issued a Used Car Rule for dealers. Under the rule, "dealers" are those who sell six or more used cars in a twelve-month period. The rule forbids used car dealers from misrepresenting the mechanical condition of a used car or any warranty terms, and prohibits them from representing that a car comes with a warranty when none exists. They must make available the terms of any written warranty they provide, and they must post a "Buyers Guide" on the side window of the car. Q. What is the Buyers Guide, and what must it say? A . Information contained on the Buyers Guide includes: • whether or not the car comes with a warranty. If there is a warranty, the specific coverage must be outlined; • whether the vehicle comes with implied warranties only, or is sold "as is," that is, with no warranties at all; • a statement that you should request an inspection by an independent mechanic before you buy; • that you should get all promises in writing; and • what some of the major problems are that may happen in any car. If you do buy a used car from a dealer, you are entitled to receive a copy of the actual Buyers Guide that was posted in your car. If you have negotiated any changes in the warranty, it should be noted on the Buyers Guide. The Buyers Guide becomes part of your contract, and its terms override any conflicting terms in that contract. Q. Are there other facts that a seller must tell the buyer? A. The seller, whether a dealer or a private individual, should be truthful about the car. If the buyer is disappointed because it is not as described or does not perform as it was supposed to, a breach of warranty action may arise against the seller who has deceived the buyer. If possible, the seller should provide the buyer with the car's complete service records. Q. Does the seller have to tell the buyer the car's mileage? A . Yes, federal law entitles the buyer of a used car to receive a mileage disclosure statement from the seller, even if the seller is not a dealer. 0n request, the seller must give a signed written statement to the buyer stating the odometer reading at the time of transfer. The statement also should certify the odometer's accuracy, to the seller's knowledge. If the seller knows it is incorrect, the seller must admit it. Refusal to provide such a statement, or illegally tampering with the odometer, exposes the seller to stiff penalties. Q. Are there other ways to find out about a car's history? Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com A . Yes. Internet websites now make it easy to find services that will provide you, on line or by telephone, mail or fax, with detailed repair, odometer and histories for many used cars on the market. To some extent this is done in cooperation with participating used car dealers. The information is retrieved based on the car's VIN number. Search the Internet for "used car history" or "vehicle history" and compare the prices and offerings of these services. Feel free to confront the seller if the information in a vehicle history report is inconsistent with what you have been told about a car. And, of course, any seller who refuses to inform you of the VIN in question should be avoided. Sidebar: Inspection Before the Sale Not only are you allowed to take the car to your mechanic before the sale is final but you should. The Buyers Guide sticker, which applies to used car dealers, urges you to do so. If the seller, whether a dealer or a private party, will not allow your mechanic to inspect the car, do not buy it unless it is such a good deal that you will not mind paying for car repairs later. Seller Withdrawing from the Deal Q. May I get out of a contract to sell my used car? A. The same contract laws that govern a new car purchase also cover a used car purchase. Again, it depends on the stage of the contracting process and on the contract's language. Q. May a court force me to sell my car to a buyer after I have decided I do not want to sell? A. Probably not. In legal jargon, courts try to "leave the parties as they find them," and usually will not force a buyer to make a purchase or a seller to sell an item. If the car is an antique or unique in some way, however, the court might order the seller to perform the contract (specific performance). In cases like this, money damages might not suffice to satisfy a buyer who wants your specific car. Because the buyer cannot reasonably find a substitute for this car, the seller will have to take the money, and the buyer will get the car. LEMON LAWS AND OTHER CONSUMER LAWS Sidebar: Lemon Laws What can you do if the car you just bought is a real "lemon"? What if the car you purchased is in the repair shop almost as much as in your garage? To protect consumers from such situations, most states have passed some form of "lemon laws," which usually apply to new cars purchased for personal, family, or household use. These laws entitle you to a replacement car or a refund if your new car is so defective that it is beyond satisfactory repair by the dealer. You must, however, give the dealer a reasonable opportunity to repair the car. How do you know if the law considers your car a lemon? States vary in their specifics. Do an Internet search for "lemon law" along with the name of your state to see if Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com [...]... on the car You return the car at the end of the term and "walk away." Payments are higher than under an open-end lease because the lessor (the leasing company) takes the risk on the car's future worth An "open-end" lease involves lower payments However, you gamble that the car will be worth a stated price, the "estimated residual value," at the end of the lease If it’s appraised value at the end of the. .. apply when the first buyer bought the car more than eight years earlier In comparison, the standard for tires is three years Q What must the manufacturer do? A The manufacturer has the option of repairing the defect, replacing the car, or refunding the purchase price If it refunds the money, the manufacturer may deduct a certain amount for depreciation (loss in value) The manufacturer reimburses the dealer... quarters (year and a half), the manufacturer must report its completion rate based on the number of vehicles actually repaired The NHTSA may verify these figures Q How effective are recall campaigns? A Usually about 60 percent of the vehicles targeted by the recall receive repairs Q Who pays for the recall the automobile's manufacturer or the owners? A The manufacturer must remedy the defect for free This... of insurance to the other driver Get the same information from the other driver Write down the names and addresses of all passengers and possible witnesses Also, get the names and badge numbers of any police officers who respond to the scene If you have a camera handy, photograph damaged cars, skid marks, and the accident scene Draw a diagram of the accident and make notes about the weather, lighting... it Q What part of the vehicle may the police search if they have probable cause? A Generally, the police officer may search the immediate area at the driver's command, that is, under and around the front seat The law is always changing Sometimes state constitutions offer greater protection against searches than the U.S Constitution Therefore, if you have questions about a search the police have made... may be shown when the person is seated in the driver's seat, in possession of the ignition key, and capable of starting the motor Q What does "drunk driving" mean? A The elements of the offense vary from one state to another However, the Uniform Vehicle Code says proof is necessary that the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs Most states agree that a person is under the influence if he... breath testing device work? A The person blows into the machine, which measures the percentage of alcohol in the person's body The law considers a standard measure as legally intoxicated This measure might be 10 (one-tenth of one percent blood-alcohol concentration), or 08, depending on the state The rules vary from one state to another However, the law often entitles the defendant to two breath tests... the per se law is used, the prosecution need not show that the person is under the influence Rather, the prosecution need only prove that the person was driving and showing a blood-alcohol reading of the certain amount or more at the time A blood alcohol reading of 10 remains the legal presumptive level of intoxication in some states, but a growing number of states have lowered their per se limit to... stop and identify themselves and their vehicles Drivers must also notify police, and help any injured persons Neither the driver's intent nor the ownership of either vehicle involved in the collision are elements of the offense (See the "Accidents" section below.) Q What are the defenses to such a charge? A It is a complete defense if no personal injury or property damage resulted from the accident, or... otherwise incompetent person to drive your car The law refers to this conduct as "negligent entrustment." Q What if my child is driving my car and an accident occurs? A Some jurisdictions recognize the "family purpose doctrine," under which the "head" of the family who maintains a car for general family use may be held liable for the negligent driving of a family member who was authorized to use the . $5,000, and the creditor gets $5 ,60 0 from the sale of the car, the overage of $60 0 is due to you and the UCC obliges the creditor to refund the money to you. Q. What is the second choice? A. The creditor. none exists. They must make available the terms of any written warranty they provide, and they must post a "Buyers Guide& quot; on the side window of the car. Q. What is the Buyers Guide, and. called the "Monroney label," on the windshield or side window of the car. The Monroney label lists the base price of the car, the options installed by the manufacturer, along with their